Photography by Gregor Hohenberg.
German jazz legend Till Brönner pays tribute to the timeless elegance of Italian music on his latest album, Italia, recorded in the studios of the Eternal City. With this release, Brönner delivers a heartfelt musical love letter to the country of his childhood.
Italia traces the story of Italy’s sun-drenched soundscape from the 1960s through the early 1980s, an era that influenced not only Italian culture but the entirety of Europe. The album was recorded and produced in Rome and Bari in collaboration with Nicola Conte, a DJ, jazz guitarist, and sound aesthete from Apulia. For decades, Conte has been celebrated for his genre-crossing soundscapes that blend jazz, bossa nova, and club culture. This partnership proves a stroke of genius. While Conte is bringing an authentic Italian DNA to the recordings, Brönner contributes his German precision and unmistakable trumpet sound.
Furthermore the choice of recording locations is far from coincidental. In Ciao Roma, Brönner evokes his childhood in the Eternal City. The aroma of hot pizza ovens, the taste of fresh pasta, and the delight of heavenly dolci. This intimate connection to Italian culture fuels the album, giving it an emotional depth that extends far beyond mere cover versions.
Photography by Gregor Hohenberg.
With guests like Giovanni Zarrella and Mandy Capristo, Brönner reinterprets pieces ranging from Paolo Conte to Ennio Morricone. For the first time, fans can hear Brönner’s iconic voice singing in Italian. The duet “Quando, Quando, Quando” with Giovanni Zarrella stands out, beautifully capturing the lightness and melancholy of Italian romance. Meanwhile, “Viva la Felicità,” the album’s first single, reimagines the theme from the 1970s Italian animated classic Signor Rossi, blending nostalgia with contemporary elegance.
This interplay between the familiar and the new elevates the album beyond a simple homage. Brönner does more than interpret the singles. In fact he translates cultural codes, embracing them and recreates them in his unmistakable musical language.
Italia, releasing September 5, 2025, is Brönner’s most personal and accomplished album to date. Infused with melancholy and hope, it offers a refuge in times of global uncertainty, inviting listeners to pause while awakening a longing for the dolce vita. The authenticity of the Roman recordings, the harmonious collaborations, and Brönner’s refined musical sensibility make this album essential listening for anyone who appreciates pop infused with jazz elegance.
Find the link to Italia here.